Mail-chute.



J. W. CUTLER.

MAIL CHUTE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1906.

Patented Sepfz. 22, 1908.

L :Vik---liid OLA.;

J. W. GUTLER.

MAIL CHUTE. AP\L!GATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1906. l Y,

Patented sept. 22, 1908.

4U'Nrriii) ia'rENT oFIiIoE.

JOSEPH WARREN (JUTLl-IR, Ol" ROCHESTER, N YORl'ASSfGN-OR TO CUTLERMANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, UF ROUI'HCS'IER, NEW YORK, i\ CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MAIL- CHUTE.

Specification o! Letters Patent.

Patented sepa-22, 190s.

Application tiled September 24, 1906. Serial No. 336,070.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrn Wannes Cu'r- Lnn, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail- Chutes; and I do hereby declare the followingto bc a full, clear, and exact description of the saine, reference being had to the aen companying drawings, fori'ning a part of this Specification, and to the reference numerals marked thereon.

.My present invention relates to mail chutes and has for its object to provide an iinpi'oved apparatus so constructed and arranged that access may readily be had to the interior thereof by authorized persons only, for the ui'posc of removing mail matter which may fiave become clogged therein, for cleansing the. saine or other purposes, and in which the parts or sections may beiinlependent-ly removed and replaced'when desired in thus facilitating the erection and repairs if necessai 'lyo these and other ends the invention consists in cert-ain improvements and co'nibnations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully explained, the. novel. features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of two sections of a chiite embodying my improvements, portions being broken away to indicate sections of indefinite length. Fig. is a sidel elevation of the saine showing in dotted lilies, olie. section tilted forward. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on theline. u-aof Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the rear portion of a chute section. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on' the liuc b-b of Fig. l. Fig. ("i is a vertical sectional view taken on the line c--c of Fig. 2. 4 Fig. 'i is a horizontal section on the line d-d of Fig. 2. Fig. S is a veitical sectional view taken on the4 line e-e of Fig. 2. Figs. t) and 1i) represent inodilied forms of chutes to which my invention is capable of application.

Similar reference numerals in the several figures indicate similar parts.

Although these chutes extend from the` upper floor of a building to the box or receptacle at. the lower floor and contain at intervals, mailing a ierturcs, l have deemed it necessary to il ustrate only two adjacent sections as these are typical of the otiieis,

and chutes may bc made of any desired length by duplicating these parts, and the connections between the different floors may be of the usual or any )referred construction.

The Isupport. or bac 'ing A upon which the chute is mounted, may be a separat-e structure extending the full length of the chute, or be formed by one of the walls of the building if desired, and this support carries brackets or frames upon which the chute sections are directly mounted.

'lhe sections from which the chute is built up, cach embody a rear channel prcferabl ef sheet. metal, and a longitudinally movab e sliding panel at the front which is preferably composed largely of glass and is adapted to be. locked in position to prevent opening of the chute by unauthorized eisons, and in chutes having a substantially uniform interior diameter itis desirable that the sections be capable. of a slight tilting movement to cause the end of the sliding panel of one section to clear the adjacent. section and pei'- init its ithdi'awal. ln order that these results ma.) be accomplished and to facilitate the construction and assemblage of the arts, the rear channel or body of the section is preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal of the form shown iii Fig. 4, and einbodyin'ir the back 1 and sides l having the in ard v-turiied parallel flanges 3 bet-ween and u'pon which the front panel of the section slides. The sides 2'are provided at their upper ends` a ith the elongated slots -1 opening nl nvardl)y at their forward portions and also with leaded pins 5 at their lower ends, and the back is provided with rea-rivarilly-exteiiding flanges 6 and 13 at the upper and lower ends respectively, for ci.ii'i| ei'atiiig with flanges on adjacent sections. 'l`he front panel of the sections -enibodies the two sidenioldings 7, 7 each formed of a single piece of sheet metal with tlu` grooves in their outer sides to cooperate with and slide upon the flanges 3 of the channel and with the inwardlvextending flanges h liriul'v grasping tie edges of the glass plate 9 hich forms the front of the chute. and permitting inspection of the linterior thereof. 'l`lie glass plate is prevented from downward movement relalivel) to the moldings b v the cro` piece l0 secured to the lower ends of the latter and to the u )per end of thel moldings is secured a cross aror shell It having at the front,operf ing into the grooves `in the outer sides of the moldings not onlyr form ways which guide and hold the panel but, also the inner'doubled tlanges of the moldings constitute portions of the panel extending within the chute and in rear of the front edges, thus forming joints or connections which are not open toward or 'readily accessible from the center of the chute, so that there is no liability of the edges or corners of descending mail matter catching therein. lhe. character of the joints between a movable. or removable panel and the sides or cooperating parts of a mail chute is a matter of considerable moment and the provision of such joints, which permits the parts to be separated, is quite a different. problem from making tight joints that are always preserved intact, as for instance, those between the inner sides of the glass and the flanges on the moldings.

15 indicates brackets mounted on the suport A at intervals represented by the length of the sections, one being arranged at the cooperating ends of the sections and each embodying a. back plate and forwardlyextending arms 16, having' in their edges near the front recesses or bearings I7 adapted to receive the studs on the lo er ends-of the sections. The brackets are secured to the support by screws or headed fastenings 18 passed through them and into the support. A from the inside so that when the chute is in position, it covers them and prevents their removal.

One of the chute sect-ions is provided with a mail-receiving opening preferably in a mailing section 20 construct-ed as shown in several of my prior patents, and which is secured in the front panel in substantially vthe same way asA the glass, that isA by having flanges at the edoes clamped between thel flanges of the moldings.

The locking device at the top of the movable front panel may be. of any desired con- `struction, but I refer to make-itin the form shown, embodying the two outwardly-movable bolts 22, pivoted at their inner ends to a rotatable disk 23 and guided to move in flanges 24 of the plate 11 and when projected outwardly by the movement of the disk to enter corresponding apertures in the forward arms of the brackets. The disk is adapted to be actuated by a vremovable key- 25 inserted from the front to engage the disk and operate it, the operation of the lock otherwise 'than by the appropriate key beingr prevented by the wards 26 in a casing 27 with which the appropriate slots in the edges of the key cooperate.

The specific construction of the lock and key is immaterial, though I prefer that form shown in my prior patent No. 758,123.

lVhen the parts are in the position shown in full lilies m Figs. 1 and 2, a continuous )tissage for mail matter is provided, the lower ends of the channels of the upper sections extending bctween the upper ends of the side flanges of the lower sections and the lower ends ofthe channel andA the front panels extending slightly over the correspond'- lng parts of the. adj acont sections to prevent the formation of ledges or crevices liable to catch and detain falling mail matter. The sections are held irmlv in the position shown by the locking device holding the upper ends of the panels rigid with the brackets. lVhen it is desired te obtain access to the interior of the chute, it is only necessary to insert the key in the lock, withdraw the bolts from engagement with the brackets and tilt the section forward ivoting upon the studs 5 at the lower ends, t 1e horizontal slots at the upper ends, through which the pins of the next upper section pass, )ermitting this and also limiting the forward tilting movement of the section. Vi'hen the section is tilted forward, and the upper end of the panel clears the upper section, said panel may be moved up on the flanges 3 as ways, and re- 100 moved entirely if it is desired to clean the glass, or may be moved only part way if to remove an accumulation of mail matter. The section may be removed entirely if desired b v lifting the upper section or sec tions, and the pins removed from the slots, and until sutlicient room is provided to allow -the lower section to be tilted out until its.

rear up er corner clears it. By reason ofthe interhnhting connection between theseetions and the brackets formed by the pivot studs and the slots, it is necessary in order to entirely remove a section, to lift those above it,

but as there are usually only two or at most three sect ions between the floors of a building and more or less elastic or telescoping joints between the ceiling of one room and the floor of the next. this does not involve great labor,

but b v reason of the fact that, the panels are removable, it is practically nevel' neeessarv 120 to bodily remove a section after the chute is installed. ln case it is not desirable to tilt the ehutesection to remove the front panel, these slidingr panels may be applied to chutes such as shown in Figs. t) and It) in which the 125 ends of the panels are out of line with the next lsucceeding ones above them, the former graduallyincreasing in width from top to bottom, andthe lower panels beingr offset ,bodily the one above, and the latter having the slightly inclined panels with their ends olset only. In both these instances tlic panels indicated b 3U slide on llanges or ways ai the sides o the chute whether the latter is sectional or otherwise, and are secured by locking devices indicated by 3l, essentially the sinne as those previously described.

I claim as my invention:

1. A mail chute open at one side and having ways at the edges of tlic opening, in conibination with a covering panel held and ruidcd to movc on said ways and means for ocking the panel in position.

2. A mail chute open at the front and having ways at the front edges in combination with a covering panel held and guided to move longitudinally on said ways and a key lock for securing said panel in position over the opcnin 3. A mai chute open at the front and having ways thereon extending longitudinally of the' chute, in combination with a covering anel held and guided upon said ways and I iaving portions extending within the chute and in rear of the front edges of the, sides thereof and means for locking said panel in 1 position.

4. A mail chute embodying a channel having the. flanges at the. sides in combination with a longitudinally movable panel having the grooves with which the flanges cm'ipcratc to hold and guide the anel.

5. In a inail chute t ie combination with a 'plurality of tubular sections each having a movable panel held and guided to move vertically thereon for permitting access to thc interior, said panels having portions extending within the section and in rear of the front edges thereof and means for securing said panels in position.

6. In a mail chute, the combination with a pluralit of tubular sections, each having a reinova ile panel held and guided to slide vertically at. the front for )ermitting access to the interior therecf, am means for separately locking said panels in position.

7. In a mail chute. the combination with a plurality of pivoted tubular sections, each .iaving a vei'tically-siiding panel at the front and means for securing said sections in vertical alineinent.

8. In a mail chute. the combination with a plurality of pivoted tubular sections, each aving a verticallv-sliding panel at the fron-t and means for se )mately and independcntly securing each o and a-loeking means for each panel adapt-ed to revent its longitudinal movement and also preventing tilting the. section on its pivot.

10.` In a mail chute, the combination with a support, of a pluralityy of pivoted tubular sections cach having a vertically-sliding panel at the front and a locking device for each panel adapted to connect it to the support and thereby prevent its sliding movement and also t ie movement of the section on its pivot.

ll. ln a mail chute, the combination of a support, a plurality ol pivotcd, tubular sec.- tions, cach naving a verticall isliding panel at the front and a locking device mounted on each panel adapted to con' ect it to the support and thereby prevent. its sliding movement aml also the movement of the section on itsiivot.

l2. lu a mail chute, the combination with a. support, a chute section having the open lront and the iuwartll`v-cxtending lianges at the lsidestlnreofy ol' the iancl l'or closing said front composed ol' the side moldings having tht` grooves cooperating ith thc flanges on the chute section, the inwartlly-cxtendiiig llangcs, the glass )late clamped between said llangcs, the cross liar at the end of said pam-.l and the locking device carried thercbv and panel in position. .d

3. ln a mail chute, the combination of a support, a livotcd chute section having a sliding pane at the front, the bracket on the support having the arms, and a locking d.; vice on the panel cmbt'idving the lateralhl movabl'.` projections for engaging the arms ofthe bracket.

l-l. ln a mail chute, the. combination with a support, of a pivoted chute section having a .sliding panel at the frontand means fot' limiting the tilting movement of the. section on its uvot.

I5. ln a mail chine, the combination with a support` of achute sect-ion pivoted to tilt forwardly and open at the front, a verticallysliding panel l'or covering the opening and a locking device for securing the panel over the opening and the section in vertical position.

1G. In a mail chute, the combination with the bracket having the notches and the upper chute section having the studs arranged in4 the notches, of the lower chute. section pivoted at. its lower end and open at the front and having the slot-S engal'inef the studs on the upper chute section,V t ieongb tudinally sliding panel for closing t-ne front ol' the sect-ion and locking devices betnecn the panel and bracket. l

'17. A section for mail chutes having the.- open front, the pivot studs at its lower end, and the open slots at its upper end, and the sliding panel for covering the front of the section.

2S. The combination ith a bracket having the l'oi'wardl vextemling arms piovided with the notches, ota. mail chute section having the'opcn front, Ihepivot studs at one Aend and the open slots at the opposite end, .a sliding panel for covering the frontof a section and locking devices for securing the panel to the arms of the. bracket.

19, The combination with a bracket hav'i ing the forwMilly-extending arms provided with the notches, of ainail chute section pivoted at one end, the vertically-sliding panel mounted thereon having the cross bar at one end pioided with the latci'ally-projet-ting bolts ada ted to engage the bracket and a removable iiey l'or actuating said bolts. 20. In a mail chute, the combination with a stationary member, a tubular chute section having the vertically-movahle ianel at the front, and a locking device em odying the. laterally-movable bolts for engaging the stationary member, the rotary member to which theyy are connected, and wards in front of said member, and a removable key adapted to cooperate wit-h said member and the wards.

21. In a mail chute, the combination with the channel having the inwardly-exten(ling flanges on the sides, of the panel'having at the sides the moldings, each composed of a single )ieee ol'jsheet metal having the free inwarilly-extending Ilanges ovei'la )piw the edges of the )anel atthe front ani rear and Adoubled to loim the grooves in tlre outer sides into which the langes of the channel extend.

22. In a mail chute, the combination with the channel having the inwardly-extending flanges at the sides, of the panel having at the sides the moldings each composed of a single ieee of sheet metal having the free 'inward y-extending anges overlapping the edges of the panel at front and rear and doubled to form the grooves at the outer 'sides into which the flanges of the channel panel and the other extending forwardly to"` I support the out-er edge of the molding.

24. A molding for use in mail chutes com posed of a single piece of sheet lmetal having the inner free edges adapted to embrace a panel and the groove in'tlieI outer edge, the rear wall of said groove being composed of two thicknesses o( the metal in`close contact.

25. 'In a mail chiite, the combination ofa the combination with eee, 15s

support, a plurality of' tubular chute sections at one end ada-pled to have its opposite end vmoved out of alineinent and means for securing it in ahnement with adjacent sections.

"26. In a mail chute, the combination of a support, a plurality of tubular sections, one of the intermediate sections being pivotally supported at one end to have its opposite endmoved out of alincment and means coperating with said opposite end to secure it in alinement with adjacent sec-tions.

27. In a mail cli-utc, the combination with a support,.a tubular sect-ion'pivotally supl 29. In a mail chute, the. combination of a support, a plurality of vertically arranged tu ular sections normally in alinement, one of said sections being pivot-ally mounted ori the support at one en( devices for preventing longitudinal movement of said sectionwhen in vertical position and means for preventing the sect-ion from tilting.

30. In a mail chute, the combination of a support, a plurality of vertically arranged chute sections normally in alineinent, one of said sections being pivoted at one end on the support in open bearings, means for reventroo ing disengagement of the bearings o the sec- I tion when the lat-ter is in vert-ical position and locking means for preventing the section from tilting. y

3l.- In a mail chute embodying a plurality of tubular sections, the combination with a su iport, of a tubular chute section havin the hearing studs at the sides of one end an bearings onY the supportwitli which said studs cooperate to enable the opposite end of said section to be moved out of alinenient" with the adjacent section.

32. In a mail chute, the coi'iibination with,

a support and a bracket thereon having the forwardly-extending arms, and fastening devices between it and the sup ort for securing it directly and rigidly to the atter; of tubular chute sections having their proximate ends located between the bracket arms, a bar cooperating,r at its ends with the bracket arms anda key lock for securing said bar in position..

33. In a mail chute, the combination with a support and a bracket thereon having the forwardl -extending'arms, of tubular chute sections aving their proximate ends located between the bracket arms, a locking bar extending between the arms, and a movable v I -thc forwardly-extending arms, of the Luba-- 15 lar elmte arranged between the arms, the removablesecuring bar, the movable locking,r bolts thereon adapted to engage the arms of the hrarket, the removable warded key for i said arms, a bolt ear-V lsupport, a plurality of tubular of/ the tubular )racket arms f operating said bolts, thtl lock casing and the ward` therein with whirll the kev cooperates'. 3G. In a mail chute the Combination of a sections adapted to be maintained in vertical alinement, one at leastv of said .sections havingl n pivotal ronneetion with said support arranged in rear ot it` forward lower edge and means for seenrng;v said section in msition. 37. In a mail chute, an outward y movable section hinged at for guidingr said section while it is moving to its normal position; substantially as described.

JOSEPH 'ARRIIX CUTLEK. ritnesscs li. G. ["LACX, IC. J. McArrm-n.

one end, and meansi4 

